WASHINGTON (CNN) - The political advocacy group MoveOn.org is getting out of the 527 business.

"While MoveOn Political Action has always been funded exclusively by small donors like you, we've held open the MoveOn.org Voter Fund – a separate "527" organization – which can raise money from big donors. We haven't actually taken any big-money checks since 2004," MoveOn.org Executive Director Eli Pariser wrote in an email to the group's members. "In light of the new politics offered by Barack Obama, I've come to believe it's time to close the 527 forever."

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has said he does not want "527s" and outside, independent groups advertising on his behalf in the general election. A "527" is an political organization that can raise money in high dollar amounts and launch political advocacy campaigns, including television ads.

Past prominent "527s" include the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," a group that in 2004 attacked Sen. John Kerry's war record and arguably contributed to him losing his White House bid. But few had the impact of MoveOn's.

The group will retain its political action committee, which can take donations up to $5,000, though the group says the average donation hovers in the $50 range.

Even though its 527 is going away, MoveOn.org is not completely heeding Obama's request to stay off the airwaves. Last week, the group teamed up with one of the biggest labor unions, the American Federartion of State, County and Municipal Employees, to go up with a national television ad criticizing Sen. John McCain's position on the Iraq war.

The impact of outside groups this cycle is still up for debate. Since Obama's request some Democratic leaning groups have seen their donor base thin, forcing them to abandon paid media plans and instead shift gears to focus more on research and message. Obama referenced the past power of 527 groups as a factor in deciding to opt out of public financing for the general election.

soundoff(96 Responses)

It's great that Moveon.org is going away. Before I like this group but now with their left leaning agenda I HATE THEM MORE. They are bunch of lunitic lefty. Like Nancy Pelosi

June 20, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |

rose

Smart move Mr Obama, My prayer for you is that the good Lord bless you with spiritual wisdom and understandinng to lead this our beloved country that Bush and mcwar have destroyed to the right way. I believe without any doubt you will be our next president for the better. Thank you for being an agent of hope. The other side is runnung on fear and a wise person should know that HOPE wins over FEAR anytime and this is just the same reason why you were able to emerge as the democratic nominee over a 35yr political machine(Hillary). Pls I urge you to continue in your transperance because the truth prevails. It is risky to work against the truth because it sure backfires.
Thank you Mr President Obama.
I LOVE YOU 4 WHAT YOU REPRESENT

June 20, 2008 06:36 pm at 6:36 pm |

The Message

God's sitting down looking at us and saying. It's time for a black president in America. Send me Gabrielle.

And later.

"What's that? The people don't think they're ready, well let's make him black and white. And just so there's no confusiion about his black heritage, let's name him Barack Obama, after his father. Oh, and if he get's too sure of himself, let's have him run against Hillary, she'll give him a run for his money."

"I did as you said father, he's the nominee", said Gabrielle.

"Good job, oh and give GW a rest, send him back to Crawford. If it had not been for him, the people would never had been ready, tell him I said... good job".

June 20, 2008 06:45 pm at 6:45 pm |

TerryDo

Of Course Moveon.org is giving up its' claim to their 527 fund raising web site. Moveon. org have already netted Obama around 100 million they have done their job.

Now that Obama's coffers are filled, he want everyone else to stop using the 527 Business. Nervy Persona

I can not believe more people do not see through Obama and his political ploys.

Not politics as usual, you can believe that, Obama has taken the political corruption to a new higher and a more dangerous level.

OBAMA NO ONE BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU SAY.

EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE TRADEMARKED YOURSELF VIA YOUR SEAL OF SELF APPROVAL:
"NERO POSSUMUS" EMPEROR WHO IS CAPABLE.

Puma Pac invited you to visit!

June 20, 2008 06:45 pm at 6:45 pm |

gary

WITH AGE COMES WISDOM. THATS WHY O.B. NEEDS TO GROW UP.HIS YOUNG VOTERS AND HIM ALL HAVE THE SAME MORTALITY. HE BRINGS CHANGE OF HATE,RACIST ,AND DIVISION. HE PREACHES CHANGE ,BUT PUTS US BACK A 100 YRS. OR MORE. YOU YOUNG VOTERS BETTER COME TO REALITY AND GET OUT OF THAT DISNEY WORLD YOUR IN WITH YOUR CANIDATE. HRC IS THE ONLY PRAYER FOR CHANGE ,BUT SHE WAS KICKED TO THE CURB FROM THE DNC,SUPER DELIGATES, MEDIA, PRESS ETC. NOW YOU CAN SUFFER WITH MCCAIN FOR ATLEAST 4 MORE YRS.WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

June 20, 2008 06:45 pm at 6:45 pm |

misanthropicus

Change you can believe in! What a piece of Obamal crap – it wasn't the republican 527-s that sunk Kerry's bid, it was "Unfit For Command" by McLaughlin that did that. No special interest money, McLaughlin was the lieutenant who took the command of the swift boat when Kerry packed and went home & peacenik in '68 and since then they've been mortal enemies. Widely known, yet Glibama's minions keep talking about 527-s just to disguise their dishonesty. It is simply unbelievable how much crap are the 'yes we can" crowd able to take from this opportunistic adventurer.

June 20, 2008 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |

Independent-woman-4-Obama

Kudos to Move-On.org! I really like what "White Independent" said. Ditto!

Its time that WE, THE PEOPLE, speak up, say NO! to divisive tactics, NO to the politics of personal-destruction.

I know the Far-right (cough... wrong) 527s will be spewing hatred and misinformation soon enough! However, I hope that We, THE PEOPLE, will see through the muck, will THINK for ourselves and move our country forward into a brighter future........ when we can return to being the UNITED states, not blue & red!

June 20, 2008 06:49 pm at 6:49 pm |

gary

I WOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IRAQ WAR YOU YOUNG MORONS. ITS WORLD WAR 111 THAT YOU BETTER WORRY ABOUT. THAT WILL START IF O.B. GETS ELECTED. IT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK. YOU PEOPLE ARE SO BLIND ON WHATS REALLY COMING IN THE NEAR FUTURE, VERY NEAR.

June 20, 2008 06:50 pm at 6:50 pm |

Crush Rush

McCain should resign his bid today.He is a disgrace to his own beliefs.Let a real Republican run.

June 20, 2008 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |

FlaLady

What a bunch of malarkey! The media will 'spin' every negative on Obama into a so-called positive. Moveon.org is an attack group that has been propogating lies, funding pro-Obama websites that smeared Hillary and anyone else who didn't kiss Barry's feet relentlessly and has been feeding the media's Obama Love Fest. This story is just plain laughable and highlights Obama's sleazy same old politician mentality!

June 20, 2008 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |

Bag of Wind

Now THAT'S Change We Can Believe In.

Thanks Barack!

Obama / Hagel 08!

June 20, 2008 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |

tj

this organisation is the crowd of haters who progapanding their radica utlra-left ideas and who use Soros's money.
No wonder that Obama is their candidate.
Hope they lose in Nov.
America, wake up.
Stop this phony, unexperienced, weak candidate who is bathing in money donated by big business!

June 20, 2008 07:11 pm at 7:11 pm |

john williams san diego, ca.

Soros has decided not to lose anymore money backing a flawed socialist candidate, especially when Chuckie Hagels named popped up.

June 20, 2008 07:12 pm at 7:12 pm |

Jackson

MoveOn.org has already done its damage in this election ... they got NObama the nomination ... and what about their George Soros connection?

June 20, 2008 07:12 pm at 7:12 pm |

DEMOCRAT FOR MCCAIN

give me a break...

moveon.org has that tired commercial on tv...

actions speak louder than words....

damage done with your commercial already

and it is very obvious

June 20, 2008 07:16 pm at 7:16 pm |

DIRTY CHICAGO POLITICS

AND ALL THE CITIZENS FROM ILOSTMYBRAINISTAN SAY: YES MASTER.

June 20, 2008 07:31 pm at 7:31 pm |

Bradley In Colorado

Is PUMA the best you Republicans can do? Sheesh, it's like watching the Republican party go to hell in a hogcart...oh wait, it is...

June 20, 2008 07:35 pm at 7:35 pm |

Jess

Does anyone else think this puma stuff is laughably silly? Really, it's like angry 2nd graders on the playground.

June 20, 2008 07:41 pm at 7:41 pm |

paul, nyc ny

They ended it because they are now getting loads of money from smaller donors to do EXACTLY the same thing. I believe there should be a gov't oversight that approves the messages before they air to make sure lies or truth are not distorted.

Suggest that, Barack or even John. If we don't want 527s which in essence lie then lets control them. This is the united states where free speech is only available if we let it be.